Marcus begins treatment

[petnzoo1]

First of all, let me thank all the wonderful, helpful and knowledgeable people on this board that helped me diagnose Marcus and guided me in the right direction on how to treat his pox. :thankyou :bowdown
Thankfully, he appears to be in the earlier stages than many poor babies I have seen here. His treatment begins today.
I was frantic 3 days ago when I realized little Marcus, at apx. 11 weeks old appeared to have the "POX". :eek: :eek:
I had never heard of, never mind dealt with this in my many years in rehab.
I was ill-prepared for this situation, as I'd been out of circulation for awhile. I scrambled for information, and anyone with experience, and what do I?, how do I? , when do I?, how much do I?!!!
Everyone here was very patient and helpful. So..I found a Vet in my area, that admittedly had no experience with squirrels, and hadn't been aware of the "POX".
Yet, he was very willing to help me through this. I provided much of the info I got here, he RX'd what I needed, I got the rest, and Marcus and I are off on our journey to make him well.
Day 1, 9/16: Marcus weighs in at 262 grams, (he hates getting weighed)
BAYTRIL: 1/8 of a tablet, 20# 22.7mg. I will do this 2x/day.
ACYCLOVIR: .125 ML 3-4 x/day
ECHEINACEA EXTRACT: 1 drop in 8oz. water then 1/2cc 2x/day.
All of this I mixed in a little formula, (FV)and he was happy to take it..then he could really eat (Henry's healthy block, growth formula), a green bean, and brocolli.
He hasn't any oozing lesions, so a little wash with betadine and a dab of neosporin, and good-night.
I pray for little Marcus, and all the other little babies that must go on their own journey, and I thank all the special people that help them through it.
I will post Marcus's progress from time to time.
Feel free with any advice along the way..Always welcome:)

[SammysMom]

Poor baby...Wonderful mommy!:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

[4skwerlz]

Praying for you and Marcus. One thing sure, the earlier you start treatment, the better the chance of halting progression of the disease. So, excellent job on your part. :thumbsup The rest is up to Marcus.
:grouphug

[stepnstone]

Really glad you got a vet who will work with you! :thumbsup
Thinking back on it, I'm soooo glad you came here to confirm on the "mange" first before you started any treatment! :sanp3
I'll be sending positive energy and healing light to little Marcus, prayers to you both. Keep us updated on the progress...

[petnzoo1]

Yes..I AM VERY glad I came for confirmation! Mainly, I was very nervous and felt I needed as much knowledge as I could find to be more confident I was doing the right thing for Marcus..I hate to consider the other potential outcome!!:shakehead
Thank you for being there...and Jackie and CTRmom and everyone else too...:grouphug

[CritterMom]

Oh, that is great! I was obsessively checking my PM's all day! I am so glad Marcus doesn't have to wait the weekend to get on meds!:thumbsup :alright.gif

[Jackie in Tampa]

:) you're welcome...
will be watching for good updates!:Love_Icon

[veldaelsea]

I will be praying for Marcus. He looks like a healthy guy with a great Mommy.

[petnzoo1]

The pictures in the earlier thread were a few days old. By the the time he was diagnosed, and treatment began several days had passed. For informational, comparison and documentation purposes, I am posting pics taken today, his first full day on meds. NOTE: They may be Graphic! (he started to poop soon as he was picked up...LOL) :tilt
* Nodules are along the inside of left leg, genital area, groin area, smaller ones on his back and along his lower side, one ear is a little crusty looking, both have nodules near the back bottom, and both rear pinky toes are swollen. His face, above his nose, has a bald area, and his eyelid is swollen.
Now I can more accurately view and monitor his progress.
However..my little boy is still so full of himself! :crazy
Hugs and Hope to everyone! :grouphug

[stepnstone]

I'm glad he's "full of himself", spunk is good! :thumbsup That crap looks painful... :grouphug

[Mrs Skul]

:wave123 Hi PetnZoo1
How is little Marcus Doing this afternoon? Hope he is feeling better. I am keeping him in my prayers. CM918

[petnzoo1]

Thank you all for your good wishes.
Marcus's lesions looked more like "bumps" yesterday. I'm hoping this means it's just taking it's natural course. His ear looked a bit raw where he'd been scratching. I've upped his dose of acyclovir from .5 ml/day to .6 ml/day due to his weight. (262 grams). Must go to 3X per day due to work. Still eating, still active, and still think he's just the cats meow!
I wish he had company. I hate for any critter not to have a buddy.
There are no open lesions, so I guess that's a good thing. He likes for Mommy to rub his chest and under his neck, where there is one bump. He sticks that little arm up any says "ahhhh, yeah, right there!" I'll try for pics tonight.

[petnzoo1]

A few pics from today..And his new pine cone too..He looooves it!
He seems to be coming along..He seems to be getting a bit more "itchy" though.
Maybe some anti itch cortisone cream??

[petnzoo1]

Just a quick update on Marcus. He's been on meds now, for 13 days. His POX :eek: have become more prominent, tho haven't increased in number. He is now 390 grams, growin like a weed!. .90 ml/day Acyclovir, still on baytril tabs, and echinacea extract in his water. His appetite is great, and he is very active. I have stopped the acyclovir by syringe, and been mixing it and his baytril in apx. a tablespoon of FV formula and baby cereal, since he is wise to mommy's tricks now, and avoids it at all cost. Go figure! :dono
He still likes his formula, so it works. I've started putting some anti-fungal powder on his POX :eek: and I sprinkle a bit in his nest box.We'll see if it helps any. He loves his Henry's blocks, he gets 2 a day. I've scavanged around for the local wild food, that he gets a bit of every day.. dandelion, clover, hickory nuts, acorns.etc. The folks at work, tho they tease me to no end, have contributed to his winter food supply, bringing acorns and hickory nuts for Marcus. In fact, I can probably feed all the local squirrels this winter. Which brings me to another concern...where are they?? I hadn't noticed until Marcus, but all year long..my squirrel population has severely decreased. :sanp3 Could it be?? :thinking ..Hmmmmm.. I got Marcus about 2 towns away.. I put nuts on the banister last Saturday, and they were still there on Thursday. Quite unlike the usual feeding frenzy.. I saw one Sq, once, with a..bump :confused: on his back.. to far and fast to confirm anything. I keep watching..:dono
So..until next time..here are some pics from today.

[petnzoo1]

I can't tell you how badly it saddens me to report that I lost little Marcus this morning.
I'm not sure it's Pox related, but I am at a loss as to what may have happened.
I have been spending all my time at a Hospice home when not at work, as I'm about to lose someone very close to me.
My routine has been his morning meds and feedings. After work, the same.
I then head to hospice til sometimes late. After work, he was fine. His usual playful self, and we spent about 30 minutes playing, then I went to hospice.
Last night, I got home apx. midnight, and made my usual check on Marcus.
He was out of his nest box, and breathing very rapidly, and somewhat larthargic. I knew immeditaly this could be life threatening. Was going to take him to Vet at 7:00 am when he opened. He was already on baytril, so I didn't know beyond that, what to do.
I checked on him again about 3:00 am, same state. Held him, loved on him, and no resistence at all. I held him the rest of the night.
5:15 am, he was either convulsing or running around erratically. I picked him up, held him, kissed him..and lost him.
Same meds..Baytril, Acyclovir, echinacea. feed, HHB, and veggies. Nothing had changed. His pox was beginning to dry up, tho ever so slowly.
Does anyone have any theories what could have happened? It was so very sudden. With all else going on, I am devastated at the loss of my little Marcus.
I miss him so much already.

[astra]

oh how sad....:grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug :Love_Icon :grouphug i might be confusing it with another disease, but doesn't pox affect internal organs as well?...is it not just the outside?...., then, since he got pox, his immune system might have been already compromised...
but still, so, so sorry... so sad....:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

[petnzoo1]

Yes, It can affect internally as well.
He's been being treated since Sept. 17th.
I guess I just figured if something like this were to happen, It would be sooner. He seemed so strong 24 hours ago...

[JLM27]

You must be devastated. Loss is so hard, especially when you are facing another loss in the near future. It seems so strange that Marcus was active and then suddenly sick. Maybe some of the rehabbers here have an idea what went wrong.

Marcus was with you just a little time and you gave him love (as he gave you his), comfort, and everything you had to get him well, including putting out your time and treasure for him. There are very few who would do what you have done. He is now forever your little love. He will stay close in your heart if you ask him to. May you know him when you meet again. We are crying with you for the loss of your little angel.

[petnzoo1]

Thank you for your kind words. Marcus was my little piece of heaven when I'd come home from such a heartbreaking place.
I know..it was such a shock after being so active, playful and healthy. I'm having a tough time, especially when I can't process what happened. I am hoping perhaps someone may have some insight.

[pappy1264]

This is just too sad! I am so very sorry, RIP sweet Marcus. I have never personally dealt with pox (Thank God) but from what I have seen and heard it can be inside as well in organs. You did all you could for him and he knew he was loved.

[stosh2010]

I am soo sorry for you loss. MARCUS was a fighter and was Surrounded with LOVE since the moment you took him in.
Thank You for caring...I had a sweet little one that left me after onlt 16 days (last June) Princess MIRA was her name. I was devastated at her leaving, but I know the last thing she saw, was her loving Dad.

[mpetys]

I am so sorry for your loss. Marcus was a beautiful boy and surely knew how much you loved him.